====== Building a WriterDeck ======

A WriterDeck is a dedicated distraction-free writing machine: a laptop stripped down to a terminal and a word processor, on the premise that constraints improve output. Inspired by the [[https://www.reddit.com/r/writerDeck/|WriterDeck community]] and devices like the Pomera and Freewrite, except free and running on hardware you already own.

===== The Concept =====

The machine does one thing. No browser, no notifications, no desktop environment. You ssh or boot straight into a shell and write. The limits are the feature:

  * **Single-purpose sessions**: dedicated writing time, no multitasking
  * **Terminal-first**: the environment's limits remove the temptation to tinker
  * **Files are just files**: Markdown and plaintext sync anywhere

===== The Setup =====

On any old laptop with Linux:

  1. **Remove or never install the desktop environment.** Server install or ''ubuntu-server'' base; the machine boots to a TTY.
  2. **Install the core tools**: ''ranger'', ''micro'', ''lynx''/''w3m'', ''newsboat'', ''cmus'', ''tmux'', ''fish'', ''git'', ''rsync''.
  3. **Install WordGrinder** for prose: it is a word processor, not a text editor. It needs building from source:

<code bash>
git clone https://github.com/davidgiven/wordgrinder.git
cd wordgrinder && make && sudo make install
</code>

  4. **Optional always-on duty**: if it doubles as a micro-server, apply the [[guides:new_machine|always-on sections]]: mask suspend targets, ''HandleLidSwitch=ignore'', battery charge threshold.

===== The Working Kit =====

  * **WordGrinder**: longform prose with word counts, paragraph styles, and export to HTML/Markdown/text. See [[terminal:tools:wordgrinder|WordGrinder]].
  * **Micro**: shorter writing, config files, anything code-adjacent. See [[terminal:editors:micro|Micro]].
  * **Ranger**: three-pane file manager for navigating drafts and research. See [[terminal:tools:ranger|Ranger]].
  * **fish**: shell with completions and suggestions by default. See [[terminal:shell:fish|fish]].
  * **dictd**: offline dictionary server. ''dict word'' answers without a browser.
  * **tmux/byobu**: persistent sessions if the machine is also reached over SSH. See [[terminal:tools:tmux_byobu|tmux and byobu]].

===== The Workflow =====

  * Write in WordGrinder or Micro. Export to Markdown when a piece is done.
  * Sync drafts off the machine with rsync or git: the laptop is not the only copy.
  * Keep research offline: a dictd dictionary, a w3m-able copy of references, and local notes in ''~/research''.
  * The machine sleeping on a shelf with a file server running is a fine second job. See [[folkzone:machines:vivobook|vivobook]] for the reference build.

===== See Also =====

  * [[guides:start|Guides Index]]
  * [[folkzone:machines:vivobook|vivobook]]
  * [[hosting:hardware:old_laptops|Old Laptops and Desktops]]
  * [[folkzone:permacomputing|Permacomputing]]
  * [[start|Return to wiki home]]